Signing of ex-Gers youngsters a real coup for EK Thistle boss

Alan Wardlaw thrilled as Steven Chatterton becomes his latest signing

Steven Chatterton, pictured left celebrating Rangers' Youth Cup Final win last year, has joined East Kilbride Thistle

East Kilbride Thistle boss Alan Wardlaw reckons he has pulled off a major coup in signing ex-Rangers youngster Steven Chatterton.

Wardy has been busy in the transfer market this month and last week the club announced 10 new signings for Thistle’s assault on the Central District Second Division title next season.

However, the Showpark gaffer believes he has carried out his most shrewd piece of business so far after landing four more additions to the squad over the weekend, including ex-Rangers youth attacker Chatterton.

The 17-year-old helped the Ibrox side lift the 2013 U17 Youth Cup with a 3-2 win over Celtic at Firhill. He joins striker David Quinn as well as midfielders Peter Briscoll and Paul McLaughlin as the latest additions to a

burgeoning squad.

And Wardy is excited by the prospect of Chatterton pulling on a Jags jersey in the new season.

He told the News: “This is a bit of a coup for the management team here. I’ve managed to use some of my contacts at Rangers to bring in, what we hope, will be a very exciting player.

“Steven played in the Scottish Youth Cup Final against Celtic last year and I’m sure he will be an important player for us.

“He lost his way a wee bit at Rangers last season, but I’m in no doubt he will be a great young talent for the fans to watch at the Showpark. In his first season in junior football, it might take him a bit of time to find his feet, but I’d like to think he will hit the ground running and he will be ever-present in our team.

“But that’s up to him and the performances he puts in for us. He is a young guy but I think his physique, his manner and ability will be very well-suited to Junior football.”

There’s a positive vibe about Wardy right now and after managing to haul the Showpark side out from the depths of despair midway through last season, he is moulding the kind of attack-minded squad he has craved since he arrived last October.

Striker David Quinn arrives from Broomhouse Amateurs, where he scored 72 goals last season, and could provide a strong strike partnership with John Fallon, who signed last week.

Meanwhile, midfielders Briscoll (from Wellhouse Amateurs) and Paul McLaughlin (formerly of Arthurlie and Larkhall) will provide a verve in midfield that was sorely lacking last season.

“We’ve got a very strong mix of experience and youth in our squad now,” added Wardy.

“Peter and Paul are both big, strong athletic players and, at six-foot plus, their height will be a bonus for us as well.

“David comes highly recommended and — whatever level you are playing at — having a player who has scored 72 goals is a great asset to have.

“The whole group at Thistle are very buoyant about where we are going with this team and we’ve still got a few trialists to see as well.”

The Jags start their pre-season training on Saturday, while the club’s annual pre-season tournament, The Tommy McGrane Cup, on July 19 and 20 will be their first match action.